Safety storage structure

ABSTRACT

A container assembly for storing dangerous liquids has an inner container made wholly or in part of relatively brittle material, containing dangerous liquid, and an outer container made of relatively elastic material and containing a neutralizing liquid or fluid. Elastic members inside the outer container support the inner container in spaced relationship. Rigid members carried between the walls of the containers are arranged to shatter the inner container in the event an excessive impact is applied to the outer container. The dangerous and neutralizing liquids will interact before the outer container ruptures. Positions of the dangerous and neutralizing liquids can be reversed.

iUnited States Patent [1 1 V 3,764,035 Silverman [45] O t, 9, 1973 [5SAFETY STORAGE STRUCTURE 447,302 10/1912 France 220/63 A 852 I33 lO/1939France 220/63 A [76] Inventor: Ralph Silv rn n, 5326 Larchw0od 126087 51919 G t B 220 63 A Ave. e phia Pa. 19104 rea r1 am -[22] Filed: Nov.12, 1970- Primary Examiner-Joseph R. Leclair Assistant Examiner-James R.Garrett [211 App] 88676 Attorney -Polachek & Saulsbury [52] US. Cl220/15, 220/63 A, 220/88 R [51] Int. Cl. B65d 25/00 [57] ABSTRACT [58]Field of Search 220/15, 63 A, 88 R, A container assembly for Storingdangerous liquids has 220/83 13 39 A, 13; 20 4 2; 215 12 R an innercontainer made wholly or in part of relatively brittle material,containing dangerous liquid, and an [5 Ref r Cited outer container madeof relatively elastic material and UNITED STATES PATENTS containing aneutralizing liquid or fluid. Elastic mem- 1 07 828 l 1 19 H bers insidethe outer container support the inner con- '3 s'gso 3x913 tainer inspaced relationship. Rigid members carried 1 616 116 2/1927 between thewalls of the containers are arranged to 1:779:786 10,1930 shatter theinner container in the event an excessive 2,103,673 12/1937 impact isapplied to the outer container. The danger- 3,l57,l47 11/1964 ous andneutralizing liquids will interact before the 3,403,714 10/1968 outercontainer ruptures. Positions of the dangerous FOREIGN PATENTS ORAPPLICATIONS and neutralizing liquids can be reversed. 584,660 10/1959Canada 220/15 10 Claims, 12 Drawing Figures Patented ()cl. 9, 1973 I NVENT OR Bali/2 Ji/verm an 37? AT TERA/6Y5 Patented Oct. 9, 1973 3Sheets-Sheet 5 m m w wm M M 0 This invention concerns containers adaptedfor storing dangerous fluids in such a way as to minimize damage if thecontainers are ruptured.

It has been proposed heretofore to fabricate containers with doublewalls for storing dangerous fluids. A typical container of this type isdescribed in U. S. Pat. No. 2,410,179 where a flask is supported byresilient pads inside a box. This structure has the disadvantage that inthe event of breakage of the flask the liquid it contains seeps or runsout through holes in the box. No protection is thereby afforded fromdamage such as which may be caused by the escaping liquid. Anotherprotective type of container is shown in U. S. Pat. No. 2,800,243. Insuch a container double walls spaced apart are provided. The spacebetween the walls is filled with solid foam plastic. Here again no realprotection is afforded from damage which can be caused if the inner wallis broken or if the inner and outer walls and filling are broken. Ineither case the dangerous liquid contained by the inner wall escapes byflowing or seeping through the broken foam filling.

The present invention is directed at overcoming the above and otherdifficulties and disadvantages of prior multiple wall containers used tostore dangerous fluids. According to the invention an inner container orshell is formed at least in part of relatively brittle material whichwill shatter when at least a predetermined force is applied thereto, butwhich is otherwise rigid, strong and resistant to rupture. A dangerousliquid is disposed in the inner container. The inner container issupported by elements capable of elastically yielding inside an outercontainer or shell. The outer container is made of tough, relativelyelastic material which will tear if sufficient force is applied butwhich will not shatter on impact. The space between the inner and outercontainers is filled with a substance in liquid, powder or granular formwhich serves a neutralizing or damage limiting function when exposed tothe dangerous liquid. Struts, studs, bars or other projecting membersare mounted between the containers. These members will break the innercontainer before the outer container is ruptured in the event anexcessively strong impact is applied to the container assembly. Thiswill cause mixture or contact of the dangerous and neutralizing substances, so that if theexternal container breaks, the neutralizeddiluted liquid which escapes will cause minimal damage. The dangerousliquid may be explosive, flammable, volatile, toxic, corrosive or haveother qualities which could cause a dangerous condition if the liquidescapes in unrestrained fashion. The neutralizing substance asanexample, will be alkaline in liquid or powder form if the dangerousfluid is acid, and vice versa. If the dangerous liquid is toxic orpoisonous, the neutralizing fluid will be a specific antidote. If thedange'rous fluid is flammablesuch as gasoline, benzene or the like, theneutralizing fluid will be a substance which releases carbon dioxide orother fire inhibitor when exposed to air. Such substances are well knownand are used generally in fire extinguishers. In any case the neu- Forfurther comprehension, reference may be had to the following detaileddescription taken in connection with the accompanying drawing, in which,

FIG. 1 is a side view, partially in section of a safety storagecontainer assembly embodying the invention.

FIG. 2 is a horizontal cross sectional view taken on line 2-2 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a reduced vertical sectional view taken on line 3-3 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of bar used in the container assembly forshattering the inner container or shell.

FIG. 5 and FIG. 5A show on a reduced scale the container assembly ofFIG. 1, after an external shattering force is applied, at two successivestages of rupture.

FIG. 6 and FIG. 6A show on a reduced scale the con tainer assembly ofFIG. 1, at two successive stages of rupture in the event the innercontainer or shell is ruptured by explosion of the liquid containedtherein.

FIG. 7 is a view similar to FIG. 1 but on a smaller scale, showinganother safety storage container assembly.

FIG. 8 is a vertical sectional view taken on line 8-8 of FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary sectional view similar to a part of FIG. 1showing still another safety storage container assembly.

FIG. 10 is a vertical sectional view taken on line 10-10 of FIG. 9.

Referring first to FIGS. 1-5, there is shown a first container assembly10 comprising inner container or shell 12 and outer container or shell14. The inner container has closed walls 18. The top wall 18 ispreferably provided with-a threaded opening 20 in which is engaged ascrew plug 22 in fluid-tight relationship. The inner container isgenerally rectangular parallelepipedic in configuration. Inside theinner container is a liquid 25 of dangerous type which as mentionedabove may be explosive, flammable, volatile, toxic, corrosive, and thelike.

Surrounding the inner container and spaced therefrom by spaced coilsprings 24 on all sides is the outer container or shell 14. Shell 14 ismade of an elastic material such as natural or artificial rubber. Thiscan be a silicone, poly fluorethylene, or the like. The inner shell ismade of a rigid but brittle material such as glass, ceramic, acetate orphenolic plastic or the like. The outer ends of springs 24 are embeddedin the walls 26 of the outer container. A plurality of rigid bars 28 aresecured to inner sides of walls 26 and extend toward the inner containerbut are spaced therefrom. As best shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 4, each bar 28is formed with a reentrant key or pedestal 30 which is embedded in thewall of the outer container. Each bar has a tapered head 32 whichextends toward the adjacent wall of the inner container for at least thefull length of this wall. The space between the inner and outercontainers is filled with a neutralizing substance 34 generally referredto as fluid, but which may be liquid, powder or granules. In any case itis free flowing. The outer container is entirely closed. One side wall26' may initially be detached to expose the interior of container 14 forinsertion of inner container 12. Then wall 26' can be sealed at itsperiphery to the container base by a suitable cement, heat sealing orvulcanization or other suitable means which will provide a mechanicallystrong, liquid-tight seal 36.

FIG. 5 shows what happens when a foreign body 40 is forcefully appliedto the container assembly. The contacted wall 26 bends inwardly untilthe adjacent wall of the inner container is fractured by adjacent bars28 forced inwardly by the impact. The contacted wall at this stageremains intact. Mixture of the inner and outer fluids 25, 34 takes placeto effect dilution and neutralization of the inner fluid. FIG. 5A showsa subsequent stage which occurs if body 40 penetrates the outer wall ofcontainer 14. The fluid 50 which flows out is relatively harmless sinceit has been substantially neutralized and diluted during the mixingstage illustrated in FIG. 5.

FIGS. 6 and 6A show the effect of an explosion E occurring inside theinner container 12 of the container assembly 10. Initially the wall 18of container 12 will shatter releasing liquid 25 to mix with fluid 34,as indicated in FIG. 6. Wall 26 of the outer container elasticallyyields. Thereafter the wall 26 of outer container 14 will break torelease neutralized liquid 50', as indicated in FIG. 6A. Thus whetherthe walls of the containers are broken by external impact or internalexplosion, the frangible inner container 12 will break first.

FIGS. 7 and 8 show another container assembly 10A which is generallysimilar to assembly 10 and corresponding parts are identically numbered.In assembly 10A resilient, springy fingers 24a are integrally formedwith the walls 26a of outer container 14a. These fingers extend up tothe walls 18a of inner container 12a and support it on all sides.Grooves 54 are formed in the outer sides of container 12a to weakenwalls 18a somewhat so that the walls wil shatter more easily uponimpact. When an impact of sufficient force is applied internally orexternally the fingers 24a will yield elastically until bars 28 breakthe walls of container 120 to cause mixture of liquids 25 and 34a.Thereafter the walls 26a of container 14a will break all in a mannersimilar to that described above in connection with FIGS. 5, 5A, 6 and6A.

FIGS. 9 and 10 show another container assembly 108 which is generallysimilar to both assemblies 10A and 10B. Corresponding parts areidentically numbered. In this assembly the bars 28 previously used areeliminated. Instead springs 24b are engaged on rigid posts 60 screwedinto holes in walls 26b of container 14b. The posts have sharp pointsfacing toward and spaced from inner container 12a. In operation,initially springs 24b yield until the sharp points 61 of the postscontact the walls of inner container 12a, in the event of excessivelysevere external impact. Then the walls of container shatter to effectmixture of liquids 25 and 34a as described above.

In all forms of the invention described, the breakage of the innercontainer is facilitated to occur before breakage of the outercontainer. Preferably a time lag should occur to allow time for mixingof the dangerous and neutralizing fluids. It is possible to reverse thepositions of the dangerous and neutralizing fluids, by placing theneutralizing fluid inside container 12 or 12a while the dangerous liquid25 is located in the space between the inner and outer containers. Forcertain types of dangerous substances this arrangement will be preferredsince the dangerous liquid can flow inwardly to be absorbed andneutralized inside the shattered inner container before the outercontainer ruptures. In such instances the neutralizing substance may bea porous or semi-solid substance. Instead of rectangular containers asshown in the drawing they can be made cylindrical or of othergeometrical shape. They can also be conical or pyramidal and nested onewithin the other.

What is claimed is:

1. A container assembly for storing dangerous liquid, comprising asubstantially or entirely closed first container having at least in somepart relatively rigid, brittle walls; a substantially or entirely closedsecond container surrounding the first container, said second containerhaving relatively elastic, flexible walls, so that in the event of anexcessive impact occuring internally or externally of the containers,the walls of the first container will rupture before breakage occurs ofthe walls of the second container; elastically yielding means in thesecond container supporting said first container in spaced relationshipfrom the second container; rigid members supported by the secondcontainer between the containers to rupture the first container whensaid impact occurs while the walls of the second container and saidsupportive means yield elastically; a dangerous liquid; and aneutralizing substance for the dangerous liquid, either one of thedangerous liquid and the neutralizing substance being disposed insidethe first container while the other one of the dangerous liquid and theneutralizing substance is disposed in the space between the first andsecond containers, whereby neutralization of the dangerous liquid bycontact with the neutralizing substance occurs when the walls of theinner first container rupture prior to rupture of the walls of the outersecond container.

2. A container assembly, as defined in claim 1, wherein the walls of theinner container are grooved to facilitate shattering of the innercontainer on application of said impact.

3. A container assembly, as defined in claim 1, wherein said rigidmembers are bars secured to inner faces of the walls of the secondcontainer.

4. A container assembly, as defined in claim 3, wherein said elasticmeans comprises coil springs extending transversely of the space betweenthe first and second containers.

5. A container assembly as defined in claim 4, I

wherein said rigid members are bars secured to inner sides of the wallsof the second container and located between the coil springs.

6. A container assembly as defined in claim 1, wherein said elasticmeans are springy fingers extending transversely between the walls ofthe first and second containers and integrally formed with the walls ofthe second container.

7. A container assembly as defined in claim 6, wherein the walls of theinner container are grooved to facilitate shattering of the innercontainer on application of said impact.

8. A container assembly, as defined in claim 7, wherein said rigidmembers are bars secured to inner faces of the walls of the secondcontainer and located between the springy fingers.

9. A container assembly as defined in claim 1, wherein said elasticmeans comprise coil springs extending transversely of the space betweenthe walls of the first and second container.

10. A container assembly as defined in claim. 9, wherein said rigidmembers are posts secured to the walls of the outer second container andextending transversely of the said space toward the walls of the innerfirst container, said coil springs being mounted around and engagedonsaid posts and extending beyond the free ends of said posts to contactthe walls of the first container for resiliently supporting the sameinside the second container.

1. A container assembly for storing dangerous liquid, comprising asubstantially or entirely closed first container having at least in somepart relatively rigid, brittle walls; a substantially or entirely closedsecond container surrounding the first container, said second containerhaving relatively elastic, flexible walls, so that in the event of anexcessive impact occuring internally or externally of the containers,the walls of the first container will rupture before breakage occurs ofthe walls of the second container; elastically yielding means in thesecond container supporting said first container in spaced relationshipfrom the second container; rigid members supported by the secondcontainer between the containers to rupture the first container whensaid impact occurs while the walls of the second container and saidsupportive means yield elastically; a dangerous liquid; and aneutralizing substance for the dangerous liquid, either one of thedangerous liquid and the neutralizing substance being disposed insidethe first container while the other one of the dangerous liquid and theneutralizing substance is disposed in the space between the first andsecond containers, whereby neutralization of the dangerous liquid bycontact with the neutralizing substance occurs when the walls of theinner first container rupture prior to rupture of the walls of the outersecond container.
 2. A container assembly, as defined in claim 1,wherein the walls of the inner container are grooved to facilitateshattering of the inner container on application of said impact.
 3. Acontainer assembly, as defined in claim 1, wherein said rigid membersare bars secured to inner faces of the walls of the second container. 4.A container assembly, as defined in claim 3, wherein said elastic meanscomprises coil springs extending transversely of the space between thefirst and second containers.
 5. A container assembly as defined in claim4, wherein said rigid members are bars secured to inner sides of thewalls of the second container and located between the coil springs.
 6. Acontainer assembly as defined in claim 1, wherein said elastic means arespringy fingers extending transversely between the walls of the firstand second containers and integrally formed with the walls of the secondcontainer.
 7. A container assembly as defined in claim 6, wherein thewalls of the inner container are grooved to facilitate shattering of theinner container on application of said impact.
 8. A container assembly,as defined in claim 7, wherein said rigid members are bars secured toinner faces of the walls of the second container and located between thespringy fingers.
 9. A container assembly as defined in claim 1, whereinsaid elastic means comprise coil springs extending transversely of thespace between the walls of the first and second container.
 10. Acontainer assembly as defined in claim 9, wherein said rigid members areposts secured to the walls of the outer second container and extendingtransversely of the said space toward the walls of the inner firstcontainer, said coil springs being mounted around and engaged on saidposts and extending beyond the free ends of said posts to contact thewalls of the first container for resiliently supporting the same insidethe second container.